Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a brief school-based group programme for parents of children at risk of ADHD: a cluster randomised controlled trial

Sayal, Kapil, Taylor, John A., Valentine, Althea, Guo, Boliang, Sampson, Christopher James, Sellman, Edward, James, Marilyn, Hollis, Chris and Daley, David (2016) Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a brief school-based group programme for parents of children at risk of ADHD: a cluster randomised controlled trial. Child: Care, Health and Development, 42 (4). pp. 521-533. ISSN 1365-2214

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Abstract

Background

NICE guidelines recommend a stepped care approach for the identification and management of children with, or at risk of, Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We investigated the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of a group parenting intervention programme (+/- a teacher session) for children at risk of ADHD.

Methods

In a three-arm cluster RCT, 12 primary schools were randomly assigned to control, parent-only, and combined (parent + teacher) intervention arms. Eligible children had high levels of parent-rated hyperactivity/inattention (n=199). At six month follow-up, the primary outcome measure was the parent-completed Conners’ Rating Scale – Revised (ADHD Index). Secondary outcomes included the Conners’ sub-scales (hyperactivity, cognitive problems/inattention, oppositional behaviour), the teacher-completed Conners’ Rating Scale – Revised, child health-related quality of life, parental burden and parental mental health. The cost-effectiveness analyses reflected a health and personal social services perspective. Trial Registration:ISRCTN87634685.

Results

Follow-up data were obtained from 76 parents and 169 teachers. There was no effect of the parentonly (mean difference = -1.1, 95% CI -5.1,2.9; p=0.57) or combined interventions (mean difference = -2.1, 95% CI -6.4,2.1; p=0.31) on the ADHD Index. The combined intervention was associated with reduced parent-reported hyperactivity symptoms (mean difference = -5.3; 95% CI -10.5,-0.01; p=0.05) and the parent-only intervention with improved parental mental health (mean difference = - 1.9; 95% CI -3.2,-0.5; p=0.009). The incremental costs of the parent-only and the combined interventions were £73 and £123 respectively. Above a willingness to pay of £31 per 1-point improvement in the ADHD index, the parent-only programme had the highest probability of cost effectiveness. Participants found the interventions acceptable.

Conclusions

For children at risk of ADHD, this school-based parenting programme was not associated with improvement in core ADHD symptoms. Secondary analyses suggested a possible reduction in parent-reported hyperactivity and parental mental health problems. Future research should compare targeted interventions against watchful waiting and specialist referral.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/792347
Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Sayal, K., Taylor, J. A., Valentine, A., Guo, B., Sampson, C. J., Sellman, E., James, M., Hollis, C., and Daley, D. (2016) Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a brief school-based group programme for parents of children at risk of ADHD: a cluster randomised controlled trial. Child: Care, Health and Development, 42: 521–533. doi: 10.1111/cch.12349, which has been published in final form at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cch.12349/abstract. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Keywords: ADHD; hyperactivity; inattention; parent programme; teacher intervention; RCT; cost-effectiveness
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Education
University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12349
Depositing User: Eprints, Support
Date Deposited: 04 May 2016 08:36
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 17:54
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/33036

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